Message from Councilmember Elizabeth Stamler – October 23, 2026
What will future generations know about Scotch Plains in 2026? I hope they will discover a community that treasured its history, welcomed its neighbors and understood that even small acts of kindness can leave a lasting mark.
As Scotch Plains continues celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, we have more opportunities to tell that story. Our new time capsule project and the upcoming Colonial Ball connect our past with the choices we make today and the legacy we will leave for tomorrow.
This summer, the opening of our 1984 time capsule reminded us how powerful that connection can be. Buried during Scotch Plains’ 300th anniversary celebration, the capsule was opened June 26 as part of our Revolution 250 festivities. Inside were photographs, newspapers, videotapes, commemorative items and messages that offered a glimpse of life here in the mid-1980s.
Those objects carried memories of neighbors, institutions and everyday experiences that helped shape our town. For longtime residents, they offered familiar reminders. For younger generations, they opened a window into a Scotch Plains they had never known.
Now, we have an opportunity to leave our own message.
At the October 17 Farmers Market, the township encouraged residents to contribute to a new time capsule project centered on 250 acts of kindness. The idea is simple: preserve examples of people helping one another so future generations can understand the spirit of our community in this anniversary year.
Helping a neighbor carry groceries, checking on someone who lives alone or making a newcomer feel welcome may seem ordinary. Yet these gestures reveal what we all value. They deserve a place in our shared history alongside photographs and official documents.
The project also challenges the township’s 2076 administration to complete 300 acts of kindness when America celebrates its 300th birthday. I love the thought of today’s goodwill inspiring another generation, perhaps including children growing up in Scotch Plains right now.
Our anniversary celebration continues Saturday, October 24, with the Colonial Ball at Shady Rest Country Club, from 7 to 10 p.m. I encourage residents to join this evening of colonial dancing, music, food tastings and games, with opportunities to meet historic figures. Colonial costumes are encouraged, giving everyone a chance to have some fun with the theme (and maybe get a jump start on Halloween).
Tickets are $75 per person, and all proceeds benefit Shady Rest Country Club, the Osborn Cannonball House and the Frazee House. The event flyer, below, includes a QR code for those interested in attending.
Supporting these historic places helps preserve the settings where our local stories can be explored and shared. Their continued care gives future residents opportunities to encounter history beyond the pages of a textbook.
I am grateful to the volunteers, historical organizations and residents who bring these celebrations to life. Their work makes room for learning, conversation and the simple pleasure of gathering as a community.
When another generation looks back on 2026, let’s give them something worth discovering: a town that celebrated together, cared for its history and practiced kindness in everyday life. That is a legacy we can all help create for those who follow.
